EMERGENCY LAWS (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) BILL [H.L.] (Hansard, 20 November 1952)

THE LORD CHANCELLOR
My Lords, this Bill, to which I ask your Lordships to give a Second Reading, is the Bill which carries out the purpose which I indicated in opening this debate. It gives permanence to a number of regulations which time has shown ought to be embodied in our permanent law. The position is rather a curious one, it seems to me. In regard to a Bill of this kind it is impossible to say that there is any principle pervading the whole Bill, as normally is the subject of a Second Reading Debate. It is a congeries of provisions wholly different one from the other, and every one has a principle of its own. The only common factor which theyall have is that, whereas they have been temporary, it is now desired to make them permanent.
That being so, I am rather in a difficulty about how I should deal with the matter. It is clear that when this Bill goes into Committee in this House it would be proper for the Committee to deal with any Amendment which purported either to vary or to delete any of the several provisions. In these circumstances, your Lordships may not think it desirable, it having been stated that these are temporary regulations which are now to be made permanent, that we should now go into any details as to the several provisions contained in the several clauses. I see that the noble Lord, Lord Shepherd, welcomes that suggestion. I do not want in any way to shirk any duty or obligation or to be discourteous to the House. But if there were any indication that that would be a course convenient to your Lordships, I would be content to move the Second Reading formally now, leaving it to your Lordships to raise any 513 point on the Committee stage. I do not know whether that course commends itself to your Lordships on both sides of the House. If that is so, I will move simply that the Bill be now read a second time.

§ LORD SHEPHERD
My Lords, I do not rise to debate the matter on Second Reading, because I think the Bill has been largely covered by the debate which we have already had. But I want to raise a question of procedure. The noble and learned Lord who sits upon the Woolsack has not moved two of his Motions to-day because of discussions taking place in another place. It seems to me that the course adopted by the noble and learned Lord respecting his Motions might well be followed with the Bill—namely, that the Committee stage should be delayed in order to give an opportunity of seeing what is done in another place, and also to provide an opening by which, through the usual channels or otherwise, we can enter into discussions about certain of the Amendments that will ensue. We shall take an interest in the Committee stage. We do poi propose to be obstructive, but it may be that there will be a number of Amendments of some importance, and therefore we should like a little more time.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
My Lords, I think that would be an admirable plan. I do not suppose anyone would suggest that we should take the Com- 514 mittee stage of this Bill at a very early date. I think it would be better taken on the same date as the remainder of the Addresses which have not been voted on. That would give your Lordships an opportunity of studying what has been said in another place. That, it seems to me, would be the best plan, if convenient to your Lordships.

THE LORD CHEANCELLOR
I understand that that date will be December 2. May I add to what the noble Marquess has said, although I have not his authority for it, that this is a matter in which we shall be glad to have the assistance and consultation of the noble Lords on the other side of the House?

§ LORD MILNER OF LEEDS
My Lords, your Lordships will appreciate that this is a Bill which originates in this House, and therefore it will not be discussed in another place until it has been passed in this House.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
My Lords, the noble Lord is perfectly right but, even so, I think it would be convenient to your Lordships if an opportunity of studying the matter were provided. If the Bill were taken on the same day as the remaining Addresses, I imagine that it would probably be convenient for everybody.